Beaten Blake launches verbal attack

James Blake launched a withering verbal volley at Fernando Gonzalez yesterday, accusing him of acting against the spirit of the Olympics after losing to the Chilean in an acrimonious men's singles quarterfinal during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games tennis tournament.

The 28-year-old American was convinced Gonzalez, a doubles gold medalist in Athens, had robbed him of a point with unsporting behavior near the end of a gripping contest that lasted nearly three hours.

With Blake leading 9-8 in the decider he hit a fierce forehand toward Gonzalez at the net. The ball landed out but Blake was convinced it touched his opponent's racket.